Headlines, Stories, and Essays about John Donaldson

Stories are placed in order of the date they appeared.

1911

Tennessee Rats Prepare to Play at Perry
"The colored men have within the past week won from Jefferson,
Redfield, Adel, and Panora, and number of Perry people who saw them
play yesterday at Grand Junction, say they are very fast."

Humboldt Loses Long Game
"The ball game in the afternoon was undoubtedly the best of the year. The Tennessee Rats and Humboldt Champions went eighteen innings to a score of three to four - the Rats winning in the eighteenth with a home run after two were down. The Rats worked their best man - the long left-hander. The Champions need Pitcher Dye, late with the Pocohontas team. They were also forced to fill in with several home boys, and though the editor of this paper did not see the conflict, it is stated that had the regular fielders been on the job the game would have ended in the ninth with Humboldt on the big end of the Score."

"Humboldt Loses Long Game. - Humboldt, Iowa, Sept. 15. - Brown's Tennessee Rats, the colored team that has defeated so many of Iowa's semi-professionals this season, defeated Humboldt in one of the sensational games of the season in eighteen innings. Dye, who has gained such a reputation for himself this year, pitched airtight ball for Humboldt. Donaldson twirled for the negroes. The same teams played here yesterday in an eleven-inning game, which was won by Humboldt."Click here to read the entire original articles about John Donaldson's first known recorded no-hitter.

1912

All-Nations Beat Johnsons
"Visitors Win Fast Game From Biscuit Men by 3 to 1 Score. - In a spectacular battle staged at Mizzou park yesterday afternoon the All-Nation baseball club won over the Johnson Biscuit company's independent organization by the score of 3 to 1. The game was decided in the ninth frame, when Dunbar, the Indian playing with the visitors, rapped out a two-bagger that scored the two runners on the sacks. The game was closely played throughout.
The feature of the struggle was the flinging of Donaldson, the Cuban pitcher with the traveling club. Donaldson was in superb form, pitching a no-hit game and whiffing twenty of the Johnson players during the battle. Carrie, the girl who plays the first station for the visitors, also attracted considerable attention by the way she handled herself on the base.
It is expected that Mendez, the big Cuban twirler who defeated the New York Giants on their barnstorming tour in Cuba last fall, will be on the mound for the All-Nation aggregation in this afternoon's game at Riverside park. If Mendez is not in shape, Donaldson will probably go on the mound."Click here to read the entire original article about John Donaldson's second known recorded no-hitter.

1914

All Nations 8; Stumppullers 0
"Nine hundred and twenty six fans gathered at the Interurban ball park yesterday afternoon to see the Stumppullers meet their second defeat at the hands of the All Nations team. It was a hard drubbing to take as the All Nations rushed in eight scores as Donaldson stood on the mound and pitched a no-hit game. The local team was unable to find the black pitcher for any kind of a hit and only three men were allowed to see a base, Freeland going to first base, when he knocked a long fly in Centerfield and Brinkley dropped it, Rearnon going to first on a fielder's choice and Wheeler walking. Freeland was called out by the umpire on third base, when he attempted to steal and it was the opinion of the crowd that he had arrived on the sack in plenty of time. The umpire could not see very well and John Ball was taken out and Flactiff placed behind the pitcher to oversee the game.
Sunday's game started out in the box and after four men had faced him, allowing two hits, a fly to left field and Wheeler went to the fielding position. Reardon lasted until the first half of the third and was placed back in the field and Wheeler went in the box. Donaldson was the first man up and slugged Wheeler for three bases and he was continually pounded by the hard hitting bunch of All Nations. Nothing seemed to stop them from their slaughter. Donaldson had no mercy and struckout 16 men during the game and his fielders watched every ball that was hit. It was just a case of the All Nations being too fast for the Centerville team."Click here to read the entire original article, complete with a box score, about John Donaldson's third known recorded no-hitter.

Donaldson likewise pitched his most noteworthy game Sunday.
"Donaldson likewise pitched his most noteworthy game Sunday. He received faultless support but his teammates for the most part might as well have sat on the bench and played mumble-di-peg for he needed very little assistance. He made an average of two strikeouts to the inning and in the first, sixth and ninth innings retired Sioux Falls in successive strikeouts. In the eighth and ninth innings he made five strikeouts in succession. The black boy's sacrifice hit in the thirteenth gave Blattner the advance he needed to make his winning run possible. He assisted in the putout of two batters, fielded effortlessly, and made one of the only two stolen bases of the entire game. Like Lane he pitched one inning too many. In the last inning he weakened. His delivery lacked its usual snap and the score card indicates that he needed relief for Stockman and Lappin each hit him, one for a safe hit and he walked Dakin."Click here to read the entire original article, complete with a box score, about John Donaldson' fourth known recorded no-hitter.

Austin Wins, 1 to 0, in Fine Slab Duel
"The stands were packed Sunday and the fans saw another great game. Crouse again displayed form that marks him as the foremost mound artist in this part of the country. He struck out fifteen and allowed only one hit.
Before the game had progressed very far the confident smile faded from the face of Donaldson when he found he could not bring home the bacon as he expected to do.
Our one score came in the third when Dietrich walked, stole second and came home on Garzee's hit to Crow who threw wild to first.
No better ball playing could be asked for and the class and snap the team displayed put the spirit and base ball fever back into the fans who were losing interest.

Austin, Minn., Aug. 17 - (Special) - In another great exhibition of baseball, Austin shut out the All Nations yesterday, 1 to 0. This made 24 straight innings for the All Nations against Austin without making a score. It was a pitchers' battle between Donaldson and Crouse, each whiffing fifteen men, Austin's run was made by Dietrich, who got a base on balls, stole second, and scored on an overthrow by Crow, who Carrie sacrificed. The largest crowd ever on the local field was present.

Austin 1 - All Nations 0. - Austin, Minn., Aug. 18 - The largest crowd of the season watched Austin down the traveling All Nations in a red hot pitchers' battle by the score of 1 to 0. Crouse, late of the Davenport Three-I league team and Donaldson, the southpaw phenom of the All Nations, were the opposing slabsters and each showed rare form. Both struck out fifteen men. Donaldson did not allow a single hit, nor anything approaching one, but passed three men. This proved his downfall, as Dietrich, after a walk, stole second, and scored with Sam Crow, the Indian, overthrew first, Except for a single by Mendez, the Cuban, Crouse was unhittable and he walked but one man, these being the only men to reach first for the All Nations."Click here to read the entire original articles, complete with a box score, about John Donaldson's fifth known recorded no-hitter.

1915

Schmelzers Beaten in No-Hit Game
"The Kansas City Colts, formerly the Kansas City, Kansas Giants, administered the first defeat of the season to the Schmelzers yesterday, 4 to 0. The features were the fielding of the Colts, the pitching of Donaldson, who struck out nineteen men and let the Schmelzers down without a hit, and the homerun of Gray.

Schmelzers beaten in No-Hit Game - The K.C. Colts, formerly the K.C. (Kas.) Giants, administered the first defeat of the season to the strong Schmelzer club at Brenneisen's park by the score of 4 to 0. The feature of the game was the all round fielding of the Colts and the pitching of Donaldson, who struck out nineteen men and let the Schmelzers down without a hit or run.

K.C. Colts Celebrate Opening of Season - Takes One from Schmelzer. - The Kansas City Colts celebrated the opening of their season by administering the first defeat of the season to the strong Schmelzer Arms Club, at Brenneisen's Park, before a crowd of 900 enthusiastic fans by the score of 4 to 0. The features of the game were the all around fielding of the Colts and the pitching of Donaldson, who struck out 19 men and let the Schmelzers down without a hit and the homerun drive of Gray over the fence in the first inning."Click here to read the entire original articles, about John Donaldson' sixth known recorded no-hitter.

*By going back and looking in Iola, Kansas again, we have discovered a lot more information about this game!

"Donalson will be pitched against Harper Sunday afternoon."

"In Sunday's game, Harper will pitch for the local aggregation and Donaldson for the visitors."

"Donaldson, the star twirler for the All Nations club was doing slab duty for the visitors and was nicked for fourteen blows in Saturday's battle and while 'Bad Eye' Jackson, the Devils choice was touched for only seven safe ones, his support was very wobbly, errors being responsible for their defeat by an 8 to 7 score."

Sunday, Donaldson was the star stickman for the day, gathering three blows, one a two-bagger, out of four trips to the plate.

A Remarkable Pitchers'Duel
"Donaldson Pitched 12 Hitless Innings and Struck Out 25 - John Donaldson, the greatest negro pitcher in the country, probably broke a world's record yesterday in a game against Joe Dear's Schmelzers. Donaldson, pitching for the All-Nations' club went twelve innings without allowing a hit and struck out twenty-five men. Donaldson has won eighty-one out of eighty-six games. Last week he pitched a no-hit game against the Schmelzers, completing a record of twenty-one hitless innings against Dear's boys.
Yockey, who pitched for the Schmelzers, allowed four hits. His own error in the twelfth inning, when he slipped down in trying to field a bunt and threw wild to first after two were out, paved the way for the All Nations' three runs. The final score was 3 to 0.
Yockey struck out fifteen men and was a worthy opponent to the negro pitcher.

Schmelzers Held Hitless 12 Innings by Donaldson - Negro Hurler of All-Nations Fans 25 Men and Beats Yockey, 3 to 0. - Pitching a remarkable game, John Donaldson, the negro hurler of the All-Nations team, yesterday blanked the Schmelzers for twelve innings without a hit and finally won, 3 to 0. In performing this feat, the crack twirler struck out twenty-five men. One error let a Schmelzer reach first and a few more get to the initial corner or walks, but Donaldson was never in much danger of being scored upon.
Yockey, the star pitcher of the Schmelzers, also came through with a fine exhibition, but he had little chance of winning against Donaldson's work. He fanned fifteen of the All-Nations and held them to but six hits in the twelve rounds, but two of them, along with a couple of errors in the final chapter, caused his defeat. The game was played at Brenneisen's park in Armourdale.
The All-Nations club was purchased yesterday by the Schmelzer's Arms Company, which will use it for advertising purposes. The team was formerly owned by Wilkinson and Gaul. The club will play Joe Dear's team at Leavenworth today and will appear at Omaha Saturday, Sunday and Monday."Click here to read the entire original articles, with a line score, about John Donaldson's seventh known recorded no-hitter.

All Nations here Ready
for the Storz
Omaha, NE
"The All-Nation baseball club arrived in Omaha Thursday morning in
their private car, Jeannette, which will be parked at the Union station
until the last game of the series with the Storz."

Two Big Games at Rourke
Park Today
Omaha, NE
"Donaldson, said to be the peer of any pitcher on the diamond today,
will pitch against Hayes in the opener, and Jacobi, and almost equally
great pitcher, against Gray in the closing session."

IF HE WERE WHITE
KANSAS CITY, May 29. - John Donaldson, a negro who is pitching for the All Nationals, a team composed of players of different nations, has established a pitching record that probably never will be equaled. Donaldson has pitched thirty hitless innings. Last week he held the Schmelzers without a blow in nine innings; during the week he let the K.C.K. All Stars down without a hit and this week here again he held the Schmelzers hitless in a twelve-inning game making thirty consecutive hitless innings. In the twelve-inning game he struck out twenty-five men. The Schmelzers is a very strong team and all the members have at one time or the other been in the Class A leagues. Muggsy McGraw saw Donaldson pitch in Cuba during his world tour and made the remark that if Donaldson was white he would give $50,000 for him.Click here to read the entire article from Indianapolis, Indiana about John Donaldson.

COLOR LINE LOSES 3 GREAT PITCHERS TO MAJOR LEAGUESDonaldson, Wickware and Cuban Negro Wonders on the Twirlers' Mound
By Frank G. Menke - New York, June 8 - The color line drawn so tightly around major league baseball has barred from major league fields three of the greatest pitchers the game has ever produced. One of the trio, John Donaldson, pitching semipro ball in Kansas City, recently pitched 30 innings without allowing a hit or run - a record without parallel.
"If Donaldson were a white man, or if the unwritten law of baseball didn't bar negroes from the major leagues, I would give $50,000 for him - and think I was getting a bargain," said John McGraw of the Giants, after seeing Donaldson pitch several games in Cuba. Donaldson, just before establishing his record of pitching 30 innings without being hit, struck out 25 men in a 12-inning game - an average of better than two strike-outs per inning. Donaldson just now is twirling for the All-Nations, a Kansas City team composed of players of all nations and an outfit that baseball sharps claim is strong enough to give any major league club a nip-and-tuck battle.
Frank Wickware is another negro pitcher who would rank with the Walter Johnsons, Joe Woods and Grover Alexanders if he were a white man. Wickware performed some marvelous pitching feats in and around Schenectady, New York, and has since moved to Chicago where he has become a sensation among the semipros.Has Marvelous Speed and Curve. - Wickware has marvelous speed, a weird set of curves and wonderful control. And he has a trick that has made him feared among batters. He throws what seems to be a "bean-ball," but his control is so perfect that he never yet has hit a batter in the head. But when the batters see the ball, propelled with mighty force, come for their heads, they jump away - and the ball, taking its proper and well-timed curve, arches over the plate for a strike.
Wickware has compiled a wonderful strike-out average. He figured in about 30 games over a stretch of three years from 1912 and struck out something like 250 batsmen - an average of about 8 1/3 to a game. In one game he fanned 15 men. He has allowed on average of only five hits to a game for the last 20 games pitched and over a stretch of 15 games he allowed only 26 runs, less than two runs to a game.
In Cuba there is a negro pitcher by the name of Mendez. He's known as "The Black Matty" and his work has been almost as brilliant as that of "the Big Six" of the Giants. Mendez is only of medium height but he has terrific power in his arm. The Cuban negro has a canny brain and he always has used it. He has mixed his fast ball with his slow one, has an assortment of beautiful curves and perfect control. Pitching for the speedy Almandares team he has established some amazing records. But he has done so without really trying. Like Matthewson he never pitches air-tight ball unless he has to. He conserves his strength. But when he needs to pitch hitless ball he does it. When he needs to strike out a man he usually succeeds. But he always works on the theory that he has eight men to aid him in his defensive work."Click here to read the entire article from Colorado Springs, Colorado about John Donaldson, Frank Wickware, and Jose Mendez.

GREAT PITCHERS ARE BARRED FROM MAJORS - Color Line Keeps Out Three Wonderful Mound Artists From Big Clubs. - The color line, drawn so tightly around major league baseball, has barred from major league fields three of the greatest pitchers the game ever has produced. One of the trio, John Donaldson, pitching semi-pro ball in Kansas City, recently pitched 30 innings without allowing a hit or run - a record without a parallel. 'If donaldson were a white man, or if the unwritten law of baseball didn't bar negroes from the major leagues, I would give $50,000 for him - and think I was getting a bargain." said John McGraw, of the Giants, after seeing Donaldson pitch several games in Cuba.
Donaldson, just before establishing his record of pitching 30 innings without being hit, struck out 25 men in a twelve inning game - an average of better than two strikeouts per inning. Donaldson just now is twirling for the All-Nationals, a Kansas City team composed of players of all nations and an outfit that baseball sharps claim is strong enough to give any major league club a nip-and-tuck battle. Frank Wickware is another negro pitcher who would rank with Walter Johnsons, Joe Woods and Grover Alexanders if he were a white man. Wickware performed some marvelous pitching feats in and around Schenectady, N.Y., and has since moved on to Chicago, where he has become a sensation among the semi-pros. Wickware has marvelous speed, a weird set of curves and wonderful control And he has a trick that has made him feared among batters. He throws what seems to be a "bean-ball," but his control is so perfect that he never yet has hit a batter in the head. But when the batters see the ball, propelled with mighty force, come for their heads, they jump away - and the ball, taking its proper and well-times curve, arches over the plate for a strike.
Wickware has compiled a wonderful strike-out average. He figured in about thirty games over a stretch of three years from 1912 and struck out something like 250 batsmen - an average of about eight and one-third to a game. In one game he fanned 15 men. He has allowed on an average of only five hits to a game for the last 20 games played and over a stretch of 15 games allowed only 26 runs, less than two runs to a game. In Cuba there is a negro pitcher by the name of Mendez. He's known as 'The Black Matty,' and his work has been almost as brilliant as that of 'The Big Six' of the Giants. Mendez is only of medium height, but he has terrific power of his arm. The Cuban negro has a canny brain and he always uses it. He has mixed his fast ball with his slow one, and has an assortment of beautiful curves and perfect control. Pitching for the speedy Almendares team he has established some amazing records. But he has done so without really trying. Like Matthewson he never pitches air-tight ball unless he has to. He conserves his strength. But when he needs to pitch hitless ball he does it. When he needs to strike out a man he usually succeeds. But he always works on the theory that he has eight men to aid him in his defensive work."Click here to read the entire article from Mansfield, Ohio about John Donaldson, Frank Wickware, and Jose Mendez.

New York, June 15 - The unwritten law that a Negro cannot play in the major leagues has kept at least three promising pitchers from taking the little hillock in the grounds where the people look down from all sides. Donaldson, a Kansas City semipro, pitched 30 innings without allowing a hit or run. When McGraw saw Donaldson pitch in Cuba he said: "If the unwritten baseball law did not bar Negroes from the major leagues, or if Donaldson were a white man, I would pay $50,000 for him, and I would think I was getting a bargain at that." In addition to his record of no hits or no runs in 30 innings, Donaldson has struck out 25 men in a 12-inning game, more than two strikeouts an inning.
Wickware, a Chicago semipro, struck out nearly 250 batsmen in 30 games. In one game he fanned 15 batters. In his last 20 games he allowed on the average only five hits and in the last 15 games he allowed only two runs to a game. He throws what is known as a "bean ball," a shoot that darts straight for the batter's head, and then swerves across the plate. Cuba has another Negro pitcher, Mendez, who is known in Havana as "the Black Matty" because he pitches like Matthewson.Click here to read the entire article from Springfield, Massachusetts about John Donaldson, Frank Wickware, and Jose Mendez.

Three Great Pitchers Are Barred From Big League Because of Color - New York, June 15. - The color line drawn so tightly around major league baseball has barred from major league fields three of the greatest pitchers the game ever has produced. One of the trio, John Donaldson, pitching semi-pro ball in Kansas City, recently pitched 30 innings without allowing a hit or a run - a record without parallel. 'If Donaldson were a white man, or if the unwritten law of baseball didn't bar negroes from the major leagues, I would give $50,000 for him - and think I was getting a bargain.' said John McGraw of the Giants, after seeing Donaldson pitch several games in Cuba. Donaldson just before establishing his record of pitching 30 innings without being hit, struck out 25 men in a twelve inning game - an average of better than two strike outs per inning.
Donaldson just now is twirling for the All-Nationals, a Kansas City team composed of players of all nations and an outfit that baseball sharps claim is strong enough to give any major league club a nip and tuck battle. Frank Wickware is another negro pitcher who would rank with the Walter Johnsons, Joe Woods, and Grover Alexanders if he were a white man. Wickware performed some marvelous pitching feats in, and around, Schenectady, N.Y., and has since moved on to Chicago where he has become a sensation among the semi-pros. Wickware has marvelous speed, a weird set of curves and wonderful control. And he has a trick that has made him feared among batters. He throws what seems to be a 'bean ball,' but his control is so perfect that he never yet has hit a batter in the head. But when the batters see the ball, propelled with mighty force, come for their heads, they jump away - and the ball, taking its proper and well-times curve, arches over the plate for a strike.
Wickware has compiled a wonderful strike-out average. He figured in about thirty games over a stretch of three years from 1912 and struck out something like 250 batsmen - an average of about 8-1/3 to a game. In one game he fanned fifteen men. He has allowed on an average of only five hits to a game for the last twenty games pitched and over a stretch of fifteen games he allowed only twenty-six runs - less than two runs to a game. In Cuba, there is a negro pitcher by the name of Mendez. He's known as 'The Black Matty' and his work has been almost as brilliant as that of the 'the Big Six' of the Giants. Mendez is only of medium height but he has terrific power in his arm. The Cuban negro has a canny brain and he always has used it. He has mixed his fast ball with his slow one, has an assortment of beautiful curves and perfect control. Pitching for the speedy Almendares team he has established some amazing records. But he has done so without really trying. Like Mattewson he never pitches air-tight ball unless he has to. He conserves his strength. But when he needs to pitch hitless ball he does it. When he needs to strike out a man he usually succeeds. But he always works on the theory that he has eight men to aid him in his defensive work."Click here to read the entire article from Syracuse, New York about John Donaldson, Frank Wickware, and Jose Mendez.

COLOR LINE BARRED MANY GREAT STARS - (Special to the Gazette.) New York, June 18. - The color line drawn so tightly around majore league baseball has barred from major league fields three of the greatest pitchers the game ever has produced. One of the trio, John Donaldson, pitching semi-pro ball in Kansas City, recently pitched thirty innings without allowing a hit or run - a record without a parallel. 'If Donaldson were a white man, or if the unwritten law of baseball didn't bar negroes from the major league, I would give $50,000 for him - and think I was getting a bargain,' said John McGraw of the Giants, after seeing Donaldson pitch several games in Cuba. Donaldson, just before establishing his record of pitching thirty innings without being hit, struck out twenty-five men in a twelve-inning game - an average of better than two strikeouts per inning.
Donaldson just now is twirling for the All-Nationals, a Kansas City team composed of players of all nations and an outfit that baseball sharps claim is strong enough to give any major league club a nip and tuck battle. Frank Wickware is another negro pitcher who would rank with the Walter Johnsons, Joe Woods and Grover Alexanders if he were a white man. Wickware performed some marvelous pitching feats in and around Schenectady, N.Y., and has since moved on to Chicago, where he has become a sensation among the semi-pros. Wickware has marvelous speed, a weird set of curves and wonderful control. And he has a trick that has made him feared among batters. He throws what seems to be a 'bean ball,' but his control is so perfect that he never yet has hit a batter in the head. But when the batters see the ball, propelled with mighty force, come for their heads, they jump away - and the ball, taking its proper and well-times curve, arches over the plate for a strike.
Wickware has compiled a wonderful strikeout average. He figured in about thirty games over a stretch of three years from 1912 and struck out something like 250 batsmen - an average of eight and one-third to a game. In one game he fanned fifteen men. He has allowed on an average of only five hits to a game for the last twenty games pitched and over a stretch of fifteen games he allowed twenty-six runs less than two runs to a game. In Cuba, there is a negro pitcher by the name of Mendez. He's known as 'the black Matty' and his work has been almost as brilliant as that of 'the Big Six' of the Giants. Mendez is only of medium height, but he has terrific power in his arm.Click here to read the entire article from Janesville, Wisconsin about John Donaldson, Frank Wickware, and Jose Mendez.

COLOR LINE HAS KEPT MANY A GOOD BALL PLAYER OUT OF MAJORS. - The color line drawn so tightly around the major league baseball has barred from major league fields three of the greatest pitchers the game ever has produced. One of the trio, John Donaldson, pitching semi-pro ball in Kansas City, recently pitched thirty innings with-out allowing a hit or run - a record without parallel. 'If Donaldson were a white man, or if the unwritten law of baseball didn't bar negroes from the major leagues, I would give $50,000 for him - and think I was getting a bargain." said John McGraw of the Giants, after seeing Donaldson pitch several games in Cuba.
Donaldson, just before establishing his record of pitching thirty innings without being hit, struck out twenty-five men in a twelve-inning game - an average of better than two strikeouts per inning. Donaldson just now is twirling for the All-Nationals, a Kansas City team composed of players of all nations, and an outfit that baseball sharps claim is strong enough to give any major league club a nip-and-tuck battle. Frank Wickware is another negro pitcher who would rank with the Walter Johnsons, Joe Woods and Grover Alexanders if he were a white man. Wickware performed some marvelous pitching feats in and around Schenectady, New York, and has since moved on to Chicago, where he has become a sensation among the semi-pros. He has pitched here against the A.B.C.'s.
Wickware has marvelous speed, a weird set of curves and wonderful control. And he has a trick that has made him feared among batters. He throws what seems to be a "bean-ball," but his control is so perfect that he never yet has hit a batter in the head. But when the batters see the ball, propelled with mighty force, come for their heads, they jump away - and the ball, taking its proper and well-times curve, arches over the plate for a strike. Wickware has compiled a wonderful strike-out average. He figured in about thirty games over a stretch of three years from 1912, and struck out something like 250 batsmen - an average of about 8 1/3 to a game. In one game he fanned fifteen men. He has allowed on an average of only five hits to a game for the last twenty games pitched, and over a stretch of fifteen games he allowed only twenty-six runs, less than two runs to a game.
In Cuba there is a negro pitcher by the name of Mendez. He's known as "The Black Matty" and his work has been almost as brilliant as that of "The Big Six" of the Giants. Mendez is only of medium height, but he has terrific power in his arm. The Cuban negro has a canny brain and he always has used it. He has mixed his fast ball with his slow one, has an assortment of beautiful curves and perfect control. Pitching for the speedy Almendares team he has established some amazing records. But he has done so without really trying. Like Mathewson, he never pitches a right ball unless he has to. He conserves his strength. But when he needs to pitch hitless ball he does it. When he needs to strike out a man he usually succeeds. But he always works on the theory that he has eight men to aid him in his defensive work. - From the Indiana Daily Times.Click here to read the entire article from Indianapolis, Indiana about John Donaldson, Frank Wickware, and Jose Mendez.

COLOR LINE BARS OUT MANY GREAT PLAYERS - Negro Pitcher at Kansas City Recently Hurled Thirty Innings Without Allowing Hit. - The color line drawn so tightly around major league baseball has barred from major league fields three of the greatest pitchers the game has produced. One of the trio, John Donaldson, pitching semi-pro ball in Kansas City, recently pitched 30 innings without allowing a hit or a run - a record without parallel. "If Donaldson were a white man, or if the unwritten law of baseball didn't bar negroes from the major leagues, I would give $50,000 for him - and think I was getting a bargain," said John McGraw of the Giants, after seeing Donaldson pitch several games in Cuba.
Donaldson, just before establishing his record of pitching 30 innings without being hit, struck out 25 men in a 12-inning game - an average of better than two strikeouts per inning. Donaldson just now is twirling for the All Nationals, a Kansas City team composed of players of all nations and an outfit that baseball sharps claim, is strong enough to give any major league club a nip and tuck battle. Frank Wickware is another negro pitcher who would rank with the Walter Johnsons, Joe Woods, and Grover Alexanders if he were a white man. Wickware performed some marvelous pitching feats in and around Schenectady, NY, and has since moved on to Chicago, where he has become a sensation among the semi-pros.
Has Great Speed. - Wickware has marvelous speed, a weird set of curves and wonderful control. And he has a trick that has made him feared among batters. He throws what seems to be a "bean ball," but his control is so perfect that he never yes has hit a batter on the head. But when the batters see the ball, propelled with mighty force, come for their heads, they jump away, and the ball, taking its proper and well-times curve, arches over the plate for a strike. Wickware has compiled a wonderful strike-out average. He figured in about 30 games over a stretch of three years from 1912, and struck out something like 250 batsmen, an average of about 8 1/3 to a game. In one game he fanned 15 men. He has allowed on average only five hits to a game for the last 20 games pitched, and over a stretch of 15 games he allowed only 26 runs - less than two runs to a game.
In Cuba there is a negro pitcher by the name of Mendez. He's known as "The Black Matty," and his work has been almost as brilliant as that of "The Big Six" of the Giants. Mendez is only of medium height, but he has terrific power in his arm. The Cuban negro has a canny brain, and he always has used it. He has mixed his fast ball with his slow one, has an assortment of beautiful curves and perfect control. Pitching for the speedy Almendares team, he has established some amazing records. But he has done so without really trying. Like Matthewson, he never pitches airtight ball unless he has to. He conserves his strength. But when he needs to pitch hitless ball he does it. When he needs to strike out a man he usually succeeds. But he always works on the theory that he has eight men to aid him in his defensive work.Click here to read the entire article from Duluth, Minnesota about John Donaldson, Frank Wickware, and Jose Mendez.

Color Line in Baseball - The color line, drawn so tightly around major league baseball, has barred from major leagues field one of the greatest pitchers the game has ever produced. He is John Donaldson, pitching semi-pro ball in Kansas City. He recently pitched 30 innings without a parallel. "If Donaldson were a white man, or if the unwritten law of baseball didn't bar negroes from the major leagues, I would give $50,000 for him, and think I was getting a bargain," said John McGraw of the Giants; after seeing Donaldson pitch several games in Cuba. Donaldson, just before establishing his record of 30 innings without being hit, struck out 25 men in a 12-inning game - an average of better than two strikeouts per inning. Donaldson just now is twirling for the All-Nationals, a Kansas City team composed of players of all nations and an outfit that baseball sharps claim is string enough to give any major league club a nip-and-tuck battle.Click here to read the entire article from Oakland, California about John Donaldson.

THE GO-DEVILS IN BIG SERIES"Manager Grubbs Will Try to Enter His Team in Kansas City Tourney.
Manager Grubbs today said he was going to make every effort to take the Go-Devils to Kansas City next Sunday and Monday to enter the western elimination games for the world's series between negro ball clubs. If he is sure of the trip he will select his players tomorrow or Wednesday.
Negro baseball teams which are scheduled to appear in the western division elimination games at Association Park next Sunday and Labor Day have begun to strengthen their personnel. 'Bud' Phillips, manager of the St. Joseph Giants, is negotiating with John Donaldson, considered the crack negro pitcher of America, and it is expected that Donaldson will sign with him. 'Jack' Johnson, the Topeka first baseman, also is among the players who will take part. Elimination games will also be played in St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago.Click here to read the entire article about the upcoming baseball series in Kansas City.

Advertisements featuring John Donaldson

We have a lot of newspaper and other advertisements featuring
John Donaldson and the teams he played for throughout his career. Ads
are listed chronologically by the date they appeared.

1918

CAPITOL CITY GIANTS AFTER INDIANA MAN
Barber, ss; Frederick, 3b; Jackson, 2b; Hill, c; Hunter, lf; Saunders, cf; Monroe, 1b; Cross, rf; Donaldson, Cross, N. Jackson, Moore, p; Earl Barber and Sweatt, utility.
From the above named athletes M.J. Bradford, manager, and Emory Jackson, captain of the Capitol City Giants, will select, what he believes to be the strongest negro nine in the state.
Avers Manager Bradford, "There is only one thing that we have to do and that is to get John Donaldson. You all know who he is, I reckon. Well, if we land him, as I believe we will, then the boys will have to watch out for us, that's all, for we will be stronger than horseradish in August."
Bradford has wired terms to the big "crooked arm" and has made him a handsome offer. Donaldson is at present with the Indianapolis A.B.C. Club, one of the fastest negro clubs in the country.
"That Carver Hardware Club is the crew we want to pick on first," explained Captain Jackson, "and you just say we wan to play them for all the gate receipts, whether we get Donaldson or not. We want to play them at the Western League park the first open date of the season."
Manager Kerwin, over the wire, seconded the motion made by Jackson, and says that he will go a litle further and play for a side bet. Last season the two clubs side-stepped each other and did not meet.
Well, boys, hop to it. Talk is cheap. What the fans want to see is action and not a lot of "bunk" in the newspapers.

1922

Donaldson Hurls No-Hit Game for All Nations
"The local semi-pro ball team met defeat Thursday afternoon on the local field when the fast All Nation colored team from Kansas City won from them 2 to 0. It was one of the best exhibitions of base ball ever seen on the local diamond. Both teams played air-tight ball and timely hits in the eighth gave the visitors their two runs. Daniels for Corning pitched fine ball but Corning was unable to solve the delivery of the mightly Donaldson, one of the best known men in base ball. His pitching was the feature of the game. The game went smoothly, no disputes of any kind and the visitors are certainly to be congratulated upon their sportsmanly conduct and fair play. The local management insisted that one of the All Nation men umpire, which he did and gave excellent satisfaction. The visitors had only good words for the way the local people treated them and they were equally as bitter in their denunciation of the treatment at Creston the day previous when Creston defeated (?) them 6 to 5 in 10 innings. Many local fans attended the game and do not hesitate to say that the Creston umpire was entirely responsible for the Creston victory. It is said the local business men had a meeting next morning and gave the ball team management to understand that such methods of play must cease. There is nothing that will kill base ball attendance quicker than "crooked" or inefficient umpiring.

Thursday afternoon of last week the All Nations team, a traveling club of colored gents from Kansas City, met the Corning team on the local diamond, and it was really the best game we have had. Almost perfect base-ball was put up by both teams, and Corning people were pround of the fine showing our boys made against the All Nations aggregation, though we lost by a score of 2 to 0. The two scores made in this game were both in the eighth inning - just one of those little slips that determine airtight games and the two runs came in at the same time.
The All Nations club has John Donaldson, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball, and he officiated in the box against Corning. His color excludes him from the big leagues. He is certainly a wonderful pitcher. The fact that Daniels was pitching almost as good a quality of ball for the Corning boys made the game a really great one. The visiting club also had Joe Mendez in its lineup, and Ty Cobb is the authority for the statement that Mendez is the fastest man in base ball. It was a game worth seeing.

1923

All Nations Pitcher Shuts Out Crosby Nine
"Crosby, Minn., June 28 - (Special) - All-Nations mixed ball team swamped the local crew here today by a score of 10 to 0. The story of the game is easily told - too much Pitcher Donaldson and too little hitting by the locals, who could not find the colored twirler from Kansas City. Crosby not only failed to make runs, but failed to hit the big colored boy, who pitched a no-hit, no-run game.

Crosby, Minn., June 29 - Donaldson pitched a no hit, no run game against Crosby yesterday. The All-Nations nine of this city winning 10 to 0.

Donaldson Pitches No-Hit, No-Run Game and Beats Crosby - Perham, Minn., June 30. - (Special to the Herald) - The All Nations baseball team of Kansas City, Mo., defeated the Crosby team 11 to 0 here yesterday afternoon when John Donaldson, pitcher for the All-Nations, hung up his first no-hit, no run game of the season. Donaldson was in perfect form and his control was uncanny. Only two Crosby batsmen reached first base, one on a walk and the other on a fielding error. "Click here to read the entire original articles, about John Donaldson's ninth known recorded no-hitter.

Donaldson Pitches Good Game of Ball
"Hurls a No-Hit No Run Game For Nine Innings But Loses Game in Tenth Inning. - On Thursday of last week the Lismore Gophers went to Boyd, Minn., where they played the Clarkfield team at Boyd's big celebration, and after battling for ten innings, were forced to take a shut-out, the score being 1 to 0.
It was a heart breaking game for Lismore to lose as John Donaldson had a no-hit no-run game to his credit for nine innings, but in the tenth inning Clarkfield shoved over a run when Bend hit a two-bagger over centerfield. This was Clarkfield's first hit of the game, but after two men were out Skoug singled over second base bringing in the lone run that meant the ball game. Clarkfield had only two men on bases during the nine innings both getting on by receiving a base on balls, and only one man got on second base, so one can plainly see why we say it was a heartbreaking game to lose, as Lismore also played errorless ball back of Donaldson. "Click here to read the original article, including a box score, about John Donaldson's twelfth known recorded no-hitter.

1930

1931

1932

Globe Trotters Pilot Likes State Floor Game
"Famous Globe-Trotters Here Tomorrow - Famous Five and Morlea to Battle Here - A.M. Saperstein Hopes to Revive Noted Chicago Union Giants - Ranks Present Team Next to Renaissance Outfit of New York. - A. M. Saperstein, shrewd manager of the Harlem Globe-Trotters, sensational negro basketball team that will play against the Morlea five at the new high school gym here tomorrow night, rates Minnesota basketball high.
Saperstein has seen the game in all sections of the country from the hotbed of the sport in Indiana to the great independent ranks of New Jersey and the rugged Big Ten competition. The Globe-Trotters are noted for the dazzling cleverness in ball handling and have a fine record of the past two years in barnstorming through Minnesota cities. Last year the Trotters met and defeated the Morleas here, 45 to 31. The two teams will meet again, this time on a big floor, and it is expected a great crowd will turn out to see this sensational team and just what the home club can do.
The following article was taken from the sports section of the Minneapolis Journal regarding A. M. Saperstein, the Harlem pilot:
Plenty of Rookies - With Headquarters in Chicago Saperstein sets out every year to improve the brand of his team's play. He has nearly 100 boys working out all year from which he picks recruits and there is believed only one negro team in the country which rates higher, that being the Renaissance outfit of New York City.
'Basketball is growing every year,' he said the other day. 'I think the strongest independent teams are found around New Jersey and New York state, the hardest basketball in the big Ten and the greatest high school basketball and class in Indiana.'
'The Globe-Trotters win a great majority of their games and they are prime favorites with the bugs in the out-state basketball hotbeds where basketball has come to be well organized, well conducted and well played. He likes to think of the Indiana state tournament which is held either in the Indianapolis Auditorium or the field house and Butler university which seats 15,000 and whose 15,000 seats are often sold out the night of the final game.' Saperstein has played and coached for many years although he can't be called a veteran as some veterans go. He carries only five men with his Harlems and that is all he needs for the club has harmony, skill and rigid training rules.
A Real Revival - He has one ambition for this summer which he is now working on. He is planning a 'revival' of the Union Giants of Chicago which, under the late Rube Foster was the greatest negro (baseball) team of all time and which also had on its roster John Donaldson of Minneapolis. Those Giants were rated easily good enough for the major leagues and they had classic battles with the Kansas City Monarchs. Many of their latter-day players are still active. There are any number of good negro players who are available and if present plans go through this wonder club will again be in action, taking its spring training and challenging the best in the country.

1948

The Monarchs were named by one of the greatest pitchers that ever lived, white or black, said Mr. Wilkinson. This pitcher was the great left-hander named John Donaldson from Glasgow, Missouri.
"Donaldson suggested the name 'Monarchs' one day when we were feeling around for a name to give to a re-organization of the All-Nations team," said Wilkinson. "Right away the name sounded good and we adopted it."
Donaldson at that time was a member of the All-Nations team, which Wilkinson started in 1908. This club was a traveling outfit composed of about 30 people, five of the regular players were Negroes, said Mr. Wilkinson.
"The All-Nations team traveled in a special private car in those days," said Wilkinson. "We all ate, slept and played together. There was never any trouble. We were a happy family."
The former Monarch boss said that the star of the All-Nations was Donaldson.Click here to read the article.

Alan
Muchlinski's paper on John Donaldson (updated 6-18-2006)
Baseball researcher Alan Muchlinksi has not only allowed us to
republish a great work he first finished in 2002 and then updated in
2006. Mr. Muchlinski has also been an inspiration and an integral part
in the research of John Donaldson. He had the first comprehensive
review of John Donaldson's career (especially 1924 to 1932), playing
semi-professional baseball in the Upper Midwest.